It was a somewhat flat end to 2010 for the NFC South. Drew Brees couldn’t keep pace with the Seattle Seahawks while Atlanta gave Aaron Rodgers a national stage to audition for the role of elite quarterback. It was a disheartening finish to a season that had promised so much in a division that had three teams win 10 or more games.
Still there still should be plenty to look forward to, right? After all this is a division where Carolina can’t get any worse, Josh Freeman and Matt Ryan are getting better, and the Saints … well the Saints have that offense that can put points up on you quicker than you can say “Drew Brees is the best free agent signing in recent memory.”
But there’s a slight problem. You see there’s this whole CBA issue, and we have ourselves a backlog of free agents who will eventually be testing the open market. And that means some NFC South starters could be about to take their talents elsewhere.
Atlanta Falcons
Restricted Free Agents (3 years): Brent Grimes (CB) and Eric Weems (WR)
Restricted Free Agents (5 years): Justin Blalock (G), Harvey Dahl (G), Stephen Nicholas (LB), Jerious Norwood (RB), Jason Snelling (RB) and Will Svitek (OT)
Unrestricted Free Agents: Tyson Clabo (OT), Matt Bryant (K), Michael Koenen (P), Brian Finneran (WR), Mike Peterson (LB) and Brian Williams (CB)
Please Don’t Go: It’s not good losing one starting offensive linemen. So losing two is a big blow. The potential loss of three would be a huge setback. The offensive line of Atlanta isn’t the most talented, but continuity and a “sumof its parts” approach has made them a reliable line. Guards Harvey Dahl and Justin Blalock are coming off the best seasons of their careers and placed in the top 15 of our guard rankings, while Tyson Clabo was the definition of solid for most of the season.
Au Revoir: While you like what Jerious Norwood can do with the ball in his hands, he just isn’t durable enough to last a season. Best focus on keeping the useful Jason Snelling to be the primary backup to Michael Turner.
___________________
Carolina Panthers
Restricted Free Agents (3 years): David Clowney (WR), J.J. Jansen (LS) and Jordan Senn (LB)
Restricted Free Agents (5 years): James Anderson (LB), Abdul Hodge (LB), Marcus Hudson (S), Charles Johnson (DE), Ryan Kalil (C), Jeff King (TE), Derek Landri (DT), Rhys Lloyd (K), Richard Marshall (CB), Matt Moore (QB), Chris Morris (C), Dante Rosario (TE), DeAngelo Williams (RB), Jamar Williams (LB) and C.J. Wilson (CB)
Unrestricted Free Agents: Brian St. Pierre (QB) and Thomas Davis (LB)
Please Don’t Go: Question: Who was a better player, 2009 Julius Peppers or 2010 Charles Johnson? It was Johnson and it’s not even close. That’s not even a criticism of Peppers as much as an indication of how superb Johnson (who led all defensive ends in QB disruptions and defensive stops) was. You ideally want to get him locked down as well Ryan Kalil but Carolina definitely can’t let another franchise pass rusher get away.
Au Revoir: The emergence of James Anderson and Dan Connor coupled with another serious injury kind of force you into this decision: Thomas Davis is odd man out. Which is a shame, because before injury in 2009, Davis was really starting to blossom. As it is, it’s time to go with the young emerging talent.
__________________
New Orleans Saints
Restricted Free Agents (3 years): JoLonn Dunbar (LB), Garrett Hartley (K) and Carl Nicks (G)
Restricted Free Agents (6 years): Remi Ayodele (DT), Jermon Bushrod (OT), Jeff Charleston (DE), Tory Humphrey (TE), Marvin Mitchell (LB), Chris Reis (S), Pierre Thomas (RB), Anthony Waters (LB), Usama Young (S), Roman Harper (S), Lance Moore (WR), Courtney Roby (WR), Zach Strief (OT), David Thomas (TE) and Leigh Torrence (CB)
Unrestricted Free Agents: Jimmy Wilkerson (DE), Ladell Betts (RB), Matt Giordano (S), Jonathan Goodwin (C), Heath Evans (FB), Danny Clark (LB), Tony Hargrove (DT), Pierson Prioleau (S) and Darren Sharper (S)
Please Don’t Go: Over the past two years, no guard has been better at than Carl Nicks. The problem is the Saints paid Jahri Evans big last year and it probably won’t sit right with them to invest so much in their guards, when they have such other gaping holes.
Au Revoir: With Malcolm Jenkins looking like a playmaker (even though they’re not always great plays), the Saints can cut ties with Darren Sharper now. It’s a crowded defensive back group, and freeing up some room will allow some of the young guns on the roster to show what they’ve got.
___________________
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Restricted Free Agents (3 years): Connor Barth (K), James Lee (OT), Corey Lynch (S), Elbert Mack (CB), Frank Okam (DT) and Michael Spurlock (WR)
Restricted Free Agents (6 years): Quincy Black (LB), Tim Crowder (LB), Adam Hayward (LB), Stylez G. White (DE), Davin Joseph (G), Maurice Stovall (WR) and Jeremy Trueblood (OT)
Unrestricted Free Agents: Niko Koutouvides (LB), John Gilmore (TE), Barret Ruud (LB), Ronde Barber (CB) and Cadillac Williams (RB)
Please Don’t Go: While much of the praise goes elsewhere, Quincy Black has quietly developed into one of the more solid outside linebacker in a league low on them. You need guys like him on your team, and he represents good value for Tampa.
Au Revoir: There are a number of starters coming off bad years despite Tampa's success, but none is coming off a bigger stretch of bad play than the benched Jeremy Trueblood. In 2008 Tampa had two of the best offensive tackles in the league, but they’ve been terrible since then with Trueblood particularly bad. They’ve brought in a lot of young guys, so out with the old-timer.
© 2025 PFF - all rights reserved.